Written questions by Snowden.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of removing the role of elected councillors from certain planning processes under the new National Planning Policy Framework on trust in local democratic services.

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these should be applied. It makes no reference whatsoever to the role of elected councillors.In the King’s Speech, we set out our intention to use the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill to improve local planning decision making by modernising planning committees.The government believes that planning committees have an integral role in providing local democratic oversight of planning decisions. However, in exercising that democratic oversight, it is vital that planning committees operate aseffectively as possible, focusing on those applications which require member input and not revisiting the same decisions.Our recently published planning reform working paper on planning committees, which can be found on gov.uk here, invites views on models for a national scheme of delegation, the creation of smaller targeted planning committees specifically for strategic development, and the introduction of a mandatory requirement for training for planning committee members.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 15346 on Driving under Influence: Drugs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to include an option for an evidential roadside saliva sample.

Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course.

With reference to his oral Answer to the Question from the hon. Member for Fylde of 8 October 2024, Official Report, column 140, whether his Department has made an assessment of the viability of (a) Stanah in Blackpool North and Fleetwood constituency and (b) other alternative routes for connecting the Morgan and Morecambe windfarm to the national grid.

The Electricity System Operator (then ESO, now NESO) assessed connection to the Stanah substation for Irish Sea windfarms alongside other substations in the Northwest and North Wales as part of the Holistic Network Design.[1] ESO identified that Stanah substation would require extension to accommodate the Morgan and Morecambe offshore windfarms. Due to limited space, a new substation would be needed, with associated time and cost. Access was challenging due to residential and recreational surroundings, and there were environmental constraints around Morecambe Bay. In contrast, Penwortham had a more accessible footprint, fewer constraints, and better electrical connectivity to the wider network. [1] https://www.neso.energy/publications/beyond-2030/holistic-network-design-offshore-wind

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure the reforms set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, published on 12 December 2024, safeguard the beauty and character of (a) Fylde constituency and (b) other rural areas.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December retains strong safeguards in relation to the beauty and character of all parts of the countryside.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of paragraph 2.45 of the Office for Budget Responsibility's report entitled Economic and fiscal outlook – October 2024, published on 30 October 2024.

The Office for Budget Responsibility October Economic and Fiscal outlook based their forecast on the existing policy environment, and did not take account of the impact of policies that we have announced.The Plan for Change published on 5 December 2024 set out our commitment to the ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England this parliament.The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December includes policies designed to support increased build out rates, including the promotion of mixed tenure development.Our New Homes Accelerator aims to unblock and accelerate the delivery of large-scale housing developments that have for various reasons become delayed, or which are not progressing as quickly as they could be.In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, we have committed to introducing a permanent, comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme and to giving first-time buyers the first chance to buy homes.We will continue to consider a range of evidence in delivering this, including OBR work, and will set out a full suite of policy measures next year when we publish our long-term housing strategy.

How many children are in a residential children's home over 20 miles from their family home.

The number of children looked after who were placed in secure homes and children’s homes over 20 miles from their family home on 31 March 2024 was 4,220.This is published in Table A4 of the ‘Children looked after including adoptions’ statistical release, which is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/03be7f62-cb0e-4000-2555-08dd1b6649db.The needs of the child are paramount when deciding the right care placement. Though the department wants to reduce out of area placements, they will always be part of the care landscape, as sometimes circumstances make it the right decision for a child to be placed elsewhere, for example when they are at risk from domestic abuse or sexual exploitation, trafficking or gang violence.The department knows that children placed away from home can experience disruption to their lives and they can make it harder to maintain important relationships, such as with their birth family, education setting or wider community. This is why moving a child away is not a decision to be taken lightly and there are legislative safeguards around this. Regulations are clear that the decision to place a child outside of the local authority should have the child’s interest at heart and the child, family and independent reviewing officer’s views should be considered. It should be signed off by the director of children’s services, and all relevant parties should be notified, including the receiving local authority and safeguarding partners.This government’s proposed reforms will mean less need for distance placements. Proposals on planning permissions and process will enable providers to more easily set up homes where they are most needed. Regional care cooperatives will improve local authorities’ ability to shape the local market, and the kinship local offer requirement will encourage more kinship arrangements. We are also investing £86 million in capital funding to create up to 200 additional children’s homes beds which will help ensure more of the right provision in the right places.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of children being placed in residential children's homes more than 20 miles away from their family homes on their care.

The number of children looked after who were placed in secure homes and children’s homes over 20 miles from their family home on 31 March 2024 was 4,220.This is published in Table A4 of the ‘Children looked after including adoptions’ statistical release, which is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/03be7f62-cb0e-4000-2555-08dd1b6649db.The needs of the child are paramount when deciding the right care placement. Though the department wants to reduce out of area placements, they will always be part of the care landscape, as sometimes circumstances make it the right decision for a child to be placed elsewhere, for example when they are at risk from domestic abuse or sexual exploitation, trafficking or gang violence.The department knows that children placed away from home can experience disruption to their lives and they can make it harder to maintain important relationships, such as with their birth family, education setting or wider community. This is why moving a child away is not a decision to be taken lightly and there are legislative safeguards around this. Regulations are clear that the decision to place a child outside of the local authority should have the child’s interest at heart and the child, family and independent reviewing officer’s views should be considered. It should be signed off by the director of children’s services, and all relevant parties should be notified, including the receiving local authority and safeguarding partners.This government’s proposed reforms will mean less need for distance placements. Proposals on planning permissions and process will enable providers to more easily set up homes where they are most needed. Regional care cooperatives will improve local authorities’ ability to shape the local market, and the kinship local offer requirement will encourage more kinship arrangements. We are also investing £86 million in capital funding to create up to 200 additional children’s homes beds which will help ensure more of the right provision in the right places.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the National Planning Policy Framework, announced on 12 December 2024, on infrastructure and services in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) other rural areas.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December makes clear that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of necessary infrastructure and facilities.A number of updates have been made to the Framework to support the improvement and modernisation of public service infrastructure; ensure sufficient provision of post-16 education and early years places; and encourage a collaborative, vision-led approach to transport planning in both rural and urban areas.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department issues to planning authorities on (a) ensuring applications for lawful development certificates are properly assessed and (b) taking into account the views of local residents when assessing such applications.

My Department has published Planning Practice Guidance on the topic of lawful development certificates, which can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what the UK Shared Prosperity Funding allocation will be for Fylde Borough Council for the 2024/25 tax year.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is allocated to lead local authorities (LLAs). Details of full funding allocations for LLAs for 2022-25, including allocations for Fylde Borough Council and Wyre Borough Council, can be found here.Lancashire County Council did not directly receive a UKSPF allocation for 2022-25. However, Lancashire has benefitted from UKSPF allocations made at a district level in the area.An annual breakdown of 2022-25 allocations for LLAs, including 2024-25, can be found in the allocation model spreadsheet here.

Communities and Local Government, what the UK Shared Prosperity Funding allocation will be for Lancashire County Council for the 2024/25 tax year.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is allocated to lead local authorities (LLAs). Details of full funding allocations for LLAs for 2022-25, including allocations for Fylde Borough Council and Wyre Borough Council, can be found here.Lancashire County Council did not directly receive a UKSPF allocation for 2022-25. However, Lancashire has benefitted from UKSPF allocations made at a district level in the area.An annual breakdown of 2022-25 allocations for LLAs, including 2024-25, can be found in the allocation model spreadsheet here.

Communities and Local Government, what the UK Shared Prosperity Funding allocation will be for Wyre Borough Council for the 2024/25 tax year.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is allocated to lead local authorities (LLAs). Details of full funding allocations for LLAs for 2022-25, including allocations for Fylde Borough Council and Wyre Borough Council, can be found here.Lancashire County Council did not directly receive a UKSPF allocation for 2022-25. However, Lancashire has benefitted from UKSPF allocations made at a district level in the area.An annual breakdown of 2022-25 allocations for LLAs, including 2024-25, can be found in the allocation model spreadsheet here.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16313 on Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal, what his planned timetable is for Government to issue payments to local councils to procure the resources needed to carry out this service.

Waste collection authorities received their capital new burdens funding allocations for providing household food waste collections in February this year and will receive transitional resource allocations for the 24/25 financial year in early 2025. We aim to provide 2025/26 payments early in the financial year.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16313 on Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal, what support is available to borough councils to meet their obligation to provide food waste disposal.

In February of this year, we provided £258m of capital funding to waste collection authorities to help with the purchasing of bins and vehicles. It is our intention to provide transitional resource funding for the 2024/25 early in the new year and funding for 2025/26 early in the financial year. Subject to agreement, we plan to fund LAs for reasonable costs of procurement, project management, communications and container delivery. Funding for ongoing resource funding from 1 April 2026 is subject to agreement through a spending review. We are aware that some local authorities may find the introduction of the reforms more challenging than others. We want to work with local authorities to support them in overcoming any difficulties they might face in relation to compliance within the legislative timeframes. We are also working with sector specialists WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) to provide guidance on best practice and scope additional areas of support.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16313 on Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal, what steps he is taking to raise public awareness of the role of householders in forthcoming food waste disposal requirements.

It is our intention to provide transitional resource funding for the 2024/25 financial year as soon as possible. Subject to agreement, Defra plans to fund communications to support participation by householders in new food waste collections.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department will require councils to collect household and food waste separately by March 2026.

Under Simpler Recycling, by 31 March 2026 local authorities in England will be required to provide weekly food waste collections to all households.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Government's net zero policies on food supply from British producers.

This Government is committed to delivering net zero by 2050, while ensuring that the transition to more climate friendly practices goes hand in hand with food security and farm productivity from British producers. We will work with farmers to support economic growth while protecting the environment by accelerating uptake of innovative technologies, to increase productivity and efficiency in the agriculture sector. This will in turn support net zero, food production, efficient use of land and nature recovery. To further support our farming businesses during net zero transition, we will protect our producers being undercut during international negotiations, make the supply chain work more fairly and prevent shock rises in bills by switching on GB Energy.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of exempting (a) the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and (b) other voluntary lifesaving services from the changes made to employers' National Insurance contributions at the Autumn Budget 2024.

The Government recognises the important role charities play in our society and has made it a priority to reset the relationship with civil society by developing a Civil Society Covenant. To repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance.The Government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of employers with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change next year. Charities will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under 21s and under 25 apprentices, where eligible. More broadly, within the tax system, we provide support to charities through a range of reliefs and exemptions, including reliefs for charitable giving., with more than £6 billion in charitable reliefs provided to charities, CASCs and their donors in 2023 to 2024.

Whether his Department plans to take steps to help firms secure orders of Eurofighter Typhoon jets from international partners.

Exports of the Eurofighter Typhoon jets are led by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). My Department does however support MOD-led export campaigns through our network of staff in the UK and overseas. We also work closely with the Typhoon partner governments of Germany, Italy and Spain, in line with the commitments each nation has made to support the others' exports.Earlier this month, the Defence Secretary was in Turkey and Saudi Arabia to discuss with Defence Ministers the future role that UK-made Typhoons could play in both countries.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to the International Criminal Court condemning their decision to issue an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu.

In line with this Government's stated commitment to the rule of law, we respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC).